tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67826579139808639922015-09-28T13:14:25.187-05:00The TottlesApril - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-44022145219988668382011-12-12T13:28:00.002-06:002011-12-12T13:33:41.318-06:00ResveratrolHave you heard of Resveratrol? You know that stuff that's in red wine that's good for your health? You've heard that Italians live longer because they drink lots of red wine. Well, resveratrol is the substance in red wine that is anti-aging. Cellular anti-aging, that is. Shaklee has concentrated resveratrol into a liquid supplement called Vivix. Clients have already seen dramatic results from taking 1 tsp/day. Read how resveratrol mimics a low-calorie diet in this article <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S155041311100386X">here</a>.<br /><br />Read on how you can get a FREE Membership and a FREE bottle of VIVIX when you buy Vitalizer and a can of Cinch!<br /><br />Free Membership With Vitalizer™<br />Buy Shaklee Vitalizer™ and Get a FREE Membership!<br /><br /> Get a free Shaklee Membership (a $19.95 value) and additional 15% savings on future purchases when you purchase Shaklee Vitalizer™.<br /> <br /><br />Shaklee Vitalizer™<br /> Vitalizer is the most advanced multinutrient supplement pack in the marketplace today.Vitalizer is more than just a single multivitamin—with 80 biooptimized nutrients clinically proven to create a foundation for a longer, healthier life, it's the only comprehensive multinutrient supplement pack you need.<br /><br />There's a Vitalizer that's right for everyone.<br /><br />Learn More About Vitalizer<br />Special Limited Time Bonus Offer - FREE Vivix!<br /><br />Step 1. Get FREE Membership (a $19.95 value) by adding Shaklee Vitalizer™ to your order.<br />Step 2. Add a Cinch Shake Canister (or any product more than $20.75 Member Price).<br />Step 3. Get a gift-packaged Vivix® (a $100 retail value), FREE!<br /><br /> To take advantage of this offer, by 12/31 just add Vitalizer to your cart, and other products (like a Cinch shake) so your order totals $100 Member Price. When you do this, you will be sent a bottle of Vivix FREE!<br /><br />http://teamtottlewellness.myshaklee.com/April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-56073266613585004252010-05-24T09:34:00.006-05:002010-05-24T09:51:54.784-05:00Kid's Modern Farm Table<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRDmyUSxI/AAAAAAAAAcM/tx2v4S0gYZI/s1600/23+May+2010+%2814%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRDmyUSxI/AAAAAAAAAcM/tx2v4S0gYZI/s400/23+May+2010+%2814%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474847788159486738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRDRhsq-I/AAAAAAAAAcE/zR6DREN7c2Y/s1600/23+May+2010+%2813%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRDRhsq-I/AAAAAAAAAcE/zR6DREN7c2Y/s400/23+May+2010+%2813%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474847782452636642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRC4UpFgI/AAAAAAAAAb8/tpKnXW_5vog/s1600/23+May+2010+%288%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRC4UpFgI/AAAAAAAAAb8/tpKnXW_5vog/s400/23+May+2010+%288%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474847775686989314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRCrALd3I/AAAAAAAAAb0/VS3oT7A58C8/s1600/23+May+2010+%285%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KgVyQ09hHck/S_qRCrALd3I/AAAAAAAAAb0/VS3oT7A58C8/s400/23+May+2010+%285%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474847772111501170" border="0" /></a><br />I found a new blog a couple months ago and I have been stalking the site ever since! It's called <a href="http://www.knock-offwood.com/">Knock-Off Wood</a>. Ana White is a stay at home mommy blogger who designs <a href="http://www.knock-offwood.com/p/plan-index.html">plans</a> to build furniture you can find in popular catalogs such as Pottery Barn, West Elm &amp; Crate &amp; Barrel. And she posts her <a href="http://www.knock-offwood.com/p/plan-index.html">plans</a> for FREE!!!! I've been wanting to build the <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/f806/?pkey=x%7C4%7C1%7C%7C6%7Cmodern%20farm%7C%7C0&amp;cm_src=SCH">West Elm Modern Farm Table</a> forever and I finally did it, only I modified the measurements from <a href="http://www.knock-offwood.com/2009/11/plan-modern-farmhouse-table-knock-off.html">Ana's plan </a>to make it kid-sized!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-54595151378230650712010-04-30T08:03:00.003-05:002010-04-30T08:08:23.049-05:00Long time...........I haven't posted here in a very LONG time so I just thought I'd post a real quick update. We moved from FL to Mississippi two weeks ago. We're settling in just fine and love our new place. We've been blessed so much recently between selling our home and moving fairly smoothly. I hope to post more frequently or at least once a month for the 1 or 2 friends who actually check here! ;) Keaton and Autumn are doing great but ask for their old friends a lot. I miss ALL my girls back in Navarre, I had such a great circle of friends, old and new. There's an oil spill that may affect our local economy currently and my personal interests of eating seafood! Anyways, gotta go live life, hope to hear what everyone else is up to. I've got big news to share soon. And no, I'm NOT pregnant.<br /><br />Take care, April &amp; The TottlesApril - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-69868016800222501522010-04-17T11:51:00.003-05:002010-04-17T11:51:00.440-05:00Almost touching the curve...PLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written April 17, 2008<br /><br />Autumn is going to be 6 months old on April 21st and she weighs 11 lbs, 7 oz as of today. Her dot is almost touching the 5th percentile curve on the growth chart for her adjusted age which is 3 1/2 months. The cold she had last month turned into pneumonia but it wasn't so bad, lasted less than a week and she got better quickly with amoxicillin. She's doing really well, she has fat rolls on her inner thighs and pudgy little arms. She still has a huge umbilical hernia but that will need to be fixed surgically when she's older. Older? Not sure when the Dr's mean when they say older but I'm not too concerned about it right now. It doesn't hurt her or make anything complicated so it's just an eyesore for now, =P Lol. I think my 18 mo old son thinks Autumn also has a penis, but on her belly.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-38774379648321379402010-03-04T21:54:00.002-06:002010-03-04T21:54:00.642-06:00Much overdue updatePLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written March 4, 2008<br /><br />So it's been a while since I updated here. Since Autumn came home I haven't been on the internet more than few minutes at a time to just check email, or look at recipes or read up on some questions I had about babies or something. Anyway, Autumn is doing really well. She is 9 lbs now and just had her first cold last week. She did pretty well, the Dr prescribed an inhaler for her of Albuterol, it seemed to help her breathe better while she was fighting her cold. In January, I found she had an ovarian hernia and she had to have surgery to repair it, turns out it was on both sides so they fixed both. Her and I stayed at the hospital overnight and she was still taking bottles and breast until that night, we just went all breast and she's been exclusively breastfeeding ever since. NO MORE BOTTLES! It's so nice, pumping was getting really old. So many people are amazed when they find out how much of a preemie she was (2lb 11oz, 29-weeker) and that she is now breastfeeding. I'm really proud of her because some Dr's said she wouldn't be able to. I have a friend who got her 25 weeker to nurse exclusively so that is what kept my determination going. Autumn's pediatrician was also very encouraging with the breastfeeding. She wears 0-3 months right now. She still spits up all the time but gains weight steadily. In the last 2 weeks she's started cooing and smiling, it's so adorable. She gets Synagis shots once a month for RSV. What else? What else? Not much else to say about her, she's such a little blessing and we thank the Lord she has no serious problems.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-22754899393490273912009-12-20T15:38:00.001-06:002009-12-20T15:38:00.297-06:00BF'ing getting betterPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written December 20, 2007<br /><br />Well, I've been praying a lot especially right before a feeding that I'll have patience and Autumn will learn to feed better. And she's doing so much better. Her problems are that she takes a long time to latch on but once she does she does great. But then I think she overeats and then spits up a lot afterwards. I think I'll try stopping her halfway through to try to burp her. She also is very sleepy all the time so I have to wake her up for feedings most of the time. It's very tempting to just let her sleep through but I know she needs to gain weight. It's also very tempting to just give her a bottle when she takes forever to latch on. We've been trying to breastfeed most of her day feedings and at night we mostly do bottles cause I just don't want to be up all night trying to get her to latch on. Hopefully she'll get strong enough (or smart enough?) to breastfeed all day long. Then K.J. won't have to wake up at night either to feed her a bottle while I pump. I can be the only one with sleepless nights for a while. I forget when Keaton started sleeping for long stretches but I think it was 4 or 5 months. But it was so much easier with him, he was a breastfeeding pro and he slept next to me and nursed on his own while I slept. Sometimes I had to adjust my body so he could get it, but then I'd go back to sleep while he nursed and he would let go when he was done. That was great! I do have Autumn in my bed but in a "snuggle nest" which keeps her safe from me and safe from rolling around. www.snugglenest.com Even though it can be beneficial to have her sleep next to me, she's just so little I'm scared to let her. She had her Dr appt Wed and her weight was exactly the same, but the Ped didn't seem concerned, he was just happy she didn't lose weight. She got 2 immunizations and she was a champ, cried for the shots but was content about 30 seconds later. Just like her big brother!April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-74332561926343505002009-12-18T19:25:00.001-06:002009-12-18T19:25:00.139-06:00Autumn's home!PLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written December 18, 2007<br /><br />Autumn came home Thurs, Dec 13th. We're so happy!<br /><br />She weighed 4 lb 6 oz as of Dec 12th. Took her to the pediatrician on the 14th and she weighed 4 lb 9 oz. Everything's going great except for breastfeeding, it's hard work for both of us! She has a Dr. Appt tomorrow so hopefully she's still gaining weight as I have increased her feedings at the breast. Sorry so long for an update, been a little busy.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-52304180676996035622009-12-06T23:12:00.002-06:002009-12-06T23:12:00.384-06:00My baby's coming home next week!!!!!PLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written December 6, 2007<br /><br />Well the 3 criteria for Autumn to come home are:<br /><br />1. Maintain Body Temperature in an open air crib<br /><br />2. Take all 8 feedings over a 24 hr period by mouth<br /><br />3. Gain weight steadily<br /><br />She's doing all of these things right now except she hasn't gotten 8 feedings in a row yet, but she will by tomorrow if she doesn't get worn out and need her tube back in. She pulled it out again this morning. If all goes well she could be home as soon as Tuesday! Praise the Lord, I can't believe she's come so far. She now weights 4 lbs, 1 oz.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-91776691203678836262009-11-27T23:23:00.002-06:002009-11-27T23:23:00.523-06:00My Christmas Present?PLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written November 27, 2007<br /><br />The nurses seem to think Autumn will be home sometime before Christmas! I was just telling KJ that I thought she might be home within two weeks. I hope I'm right, but before Christmas is awesome too. She's still breastfeeding well but only drinks half of a bottle (they give the rest through her NG tube), I hope she gets more from my breast.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-29141813025631749102009-11-25T17:55:00.002-06:002009-11-25T17:55:00.136-06:00BreastfedPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written November 25, 2007<br /><br />Don't have too much time but here's a quick update. I breastfed Autumn for the first time yesterday! It was sort of on a whim that the doctor let me. I breastfed her for 2 feedings at 3pm and again at 6pm. She hadn't even gotten a bottle yet. They're supposed to give her a bottle for the first time today. I'm going there tonight to give her a breastfeeding at 9pm. So hopefully once she gets up to 8 feedings a day by bottle or breast she can come home. They haven't said that is the only criteria but besides maintaining her body temperature well; which is what she is also currently working on, I don't know what else there is.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-86805999332941155392009-11-18T19:34:00.004-06:002009-11-18T19:34:00.462-06:00The waters are calm once againPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written November 18, 2007<br /><br />Autumn has been doing great the past few days. She is on vancomycin and completed 3 days of gentamicin for the Staph Aureus infection she had. They're not sure if it was MRSA or not so they treated as if it were MRSA. (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). I guess there are many different Staphylococcus Aurei but MRSA is the one that does not respond to antibiotics like penicillin and ampicillin, that is why they used vancomycin. The only other medication she is on is caffeine for heartrate drops which is typical in preemies.<br /><br />We had a scare the other night as she had a hemapositive stool (meaning they found blood in her stool by testing it, not blood you could see). So they stopped her feeds immediately and did x-rays on her belly. Everything looks good so they started her back on breastmilk yesterday. She was up to 25mL but since they stopped, they're starting up again at only 5mL. She was also up to 3lb 6oz but as of yesterday lost an ounce and is now 3lb 5oz. Hope she tolerates her feeds well so they can increase them quickly so she can gain weight again. Friday afternoon when I was there I got some great video of her, she was awake and alert and sucking on her pacifier with great vigor. I think she's ready to breastfeed but their guideline is that it's too soon until she's 34 weeks. She's 33 weeks as of yesterday so one more week and we can start learning to breastfeed together. I just started a prescription called Reglan yesterday. A friend of a friend recommended it and lactation also told me about it. It seems to be working already. I was down to pumping an ounce at most from both but now am up to 2-3 ounces per pump session. In the last week I've also increased my pumping during the day to every 2 hours. I can't wait until she's exclusively breastfeeding so we can feel somewhat normal and I can say goodbye to my much loathed breastpump! You pumping moms know what I mean.<br /><br />I guess the next goal is her weight and feeding and then she can come home? We will see how it goes. They still won't give us any sort of "estimation" as to how long she'll be there. They have a canned statement, "it's all up to her, she's the boss".<br /><br />Originally written November 18, 2007April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-22026301611143828982009-11-15T15:21:00.002-06:002009-11-15T15:21:00.420-06:00Bigger PaciPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Just wanted to share a picture of Autumn enjoying her bigger pacifier. Also attached an older pic of her with her teeny paci.<br /><br />Originally written November 15, 2007April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-69963923369805245162009-11-14T21:27:00.002-06:002009-11-14T21:27:00.344-06:00Blindsided.......PLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written Nov 14, 2007 09:27pm (EST)<br /><br />So I've been thinking a lot about the "isolation" room that Autumn is in and how they will keep her there for the entire duration even if she eventually becomes MRSA negative. I asked the nurse what the results of her MRSA test were this week and she said, yesterday it was negative. So then I was working myself up to talk to the doctor about getting her out of there ASAP. I knew it was a long shot but the isolation room was full and if Autumn was now negative and there was a new baby that became positive, wouldn't they need the room?? I asked to talk to the doctor and started with some general questions about breastfeeding and her nasal canula. At some point, he indicated she was sick. I assumed he meant her UTI, but he went on to say she was "septic", and he said it like I knew what he was talking about. So I was like wait a minute, what do you mean septic? He said she had MRSA infection in her blood. I asked when they found this out and he looked in her chart and said it was Monday they found it. I told him that we didn't know that, and that we were only told she was MRSA colonized and not infected, and that the infection was a UTI. He said, well yes, it started as a UTI but the cultures came back that she was blood infected. He and the nurse showed no indication of surprise that I hadn't been informed of this and here it was Wednesday. On a good note, he said she was doing very well and seemed to be fighting off the infection. The last 3 days I've been holding her and she has seemed fine, I was ignorant to the fact that she was sick and I hadn't noticed anything except that she was having to be back on nasal canula and desatting a bit here and there.<br /><br />How do you let the staff know that you're the "mom" without being a pain in the butt parent they don't want to deal with but letting them know that you want to be more involved and have some sense of control?<br /><br />I'm still frustrated with the isolation room. One of the policies that goes along with being in this isolation room is that I cannot bring her anything from home. That means no blankies, no pacis, no hats, and no clothes for when she can start wearing clothes.<br /><br />I know all these policies and actions of the nurses are in the best medical interest of Autumn but sometimes I think they forget that she's a baby who needs her mommy and I'm a mommy who needs her baby!April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-31591756690874062592009-11-13T00:06:00.001-06:002009-11-13T00:06:00.571-06:00Just a UTIPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written Nov 13, 2007 12:06am (EST)<br /><br />Turns out the infection they were looking for turned out to be a UTI. They're keeping her on the vancomycin for 10 days. Now that she's been "tagged" as positive for MRSA colonization, she has to be in isolation for the rest of her stay at the hospital even if she comes back negative for MRSA next week. Isolation means she's in a room with 5 other babies who are positive for MRSA colonization or even have MRSA infection. I sort of lost it tonight when we were there. I think I was just overwhelmed with stuff. When we went to her room, it was empty cause she had been moved. So then they show us to the "cooty" room as one of the nurses called it. I used to pump next to her isolette in our semi-private room but now I had to go pump in the pumping room which is in another area. So I left to do that while KJ visited with Autumn. My milk supply has been stressing me out cause it is dwindling and I only pumped about 3/4 of an ounce and as I was walking out of the pumping room I saw a nurse handle a baby pretty roughly as she changed his diaper, the baby was crying and red faced and the nurse seemed frustrated. So when I went back to see Autumn, I just started crying and KJ couldn't figure out what was wrong. I couldn't talk without crying harder and I didn't want the nurses to see me. I've been feeling real guilty about only being able to spend a couple hours a day with Autumn and now I was realizing she needs me more now. When she was in the semi private room, it was just her and one other baby with one nurse. Now she's in a room with 6 babies total and 2 nurses. It just made me realize that I'm her mom and she needs me. I know the nurses do a great job and take good care of her but they're not her mom. So I'm trying to figure out how to spend as much time as possible at the hospital but that means being away from my son who just turned 1. The guilt never ends.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-78331535457724100452009-11-08T14:50:00.001-06:002009-11-08T14:50:00.167-06:00Back on CPAP, positive for MRSA, Spinal Tap for Meningitis. Can you say overwhelmed?PLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written Nov 08, 2007 02:50pm (EST)<br /><br />Yesterday KJ and I were driving to see Autumn and we got a call from her nurse. She said "it's not an emergency just want to update you. Autumn's been having some A's and B's (apnea-when she stops breathing and bradycardia- when her heartrate drops) so we put her back on CPAP, she's probably getting tired out." Ok, no problem we thought, we were kind of prepared for that possibly happening. At least she gave her lungs some exercise. So then when we get to the hospital after almost an hour drive, the nurse tells us I'm sorry but after we talked the Dr. came and told me she tested positive for MRSA. She's only positive for being colonized, not infected. So she's on contact isolation. The nurses/doctors have to wear a gown/gloves when they touch her. Ok, so we think still not a huge deal, MRSA colonization is very common, this doesn't mean she's infected. The Dr. spoke with us and said if she does become symptomatic of an infection, they're going to start her on heavy antibiotics right away. Apparently, as many of you have seen in the news, MRSA doesn't respond to penicillin so they would have to give her vancomycin, a very strong antibiotic. Then about an hour after we get home from the hospital the Dr. calls and says her CBC (complete blood count) came back and she had some elevated C-reactive proteins which is indicative of some sort of infection going on. They started her on the vancomycin right away in case it is MRSA. They said they'll know for sure if she has a blood infection on Fri morning. She also got a blood transfusion yesterday cause she was looking pretty pale and because of the A's and B's. This time, her transfusion was from my brother's donated blood. Pretty neat. I went to visit her again last night and she looked better but they didn't want me to hold her cause of all the poking and prodding all day. That was fine, I just put my hand on her back and read a book next to her isolette for 1 1/2 hrs.<br /><br />Today we went to visit her and she looked about the same. We talked to the Dr. and he said most of the cultures came back negative for infections but he hasn't gotten them all back. He says even if there's nothing related to MRSA, she seems to have something going on. So she's going to get a spinal tap today to rule out meningitis. They also took an x-ray of her stomach to make sure everything's ok in there, I assume to rule out suspicion of NEC? The x-ray looked good but they're going to do another one today or tomorrow. Not sure why. I never think to ask the right questions when I'm in front of the Dr., probably cause I was a little overloaded. They also did an echocardiogram but the results of that aren't in yet. The nurse said the unofficial word from the ultrasound tech was that everything looked ok but we'll know for sure later today or tomorrow. The Dr. said if he finds no bacteria to treat, he's going to keep her on antibiotics for 10 days to be sure he rids her of whatever is bothering her. I guess we will be keeping our private room for a while longer, and after everything was looking so good. I'm sure she'll still be fine, but it is not fun that she has to have all these tests. And I can't be there a lot. I usually only get to go to the NICU about 2 hrs a day. I keep telling myself when I can breastfeed her, I'll figure out how I can stay there all day long. Between the hour drive to and from the hospital, gas money and Keaton (my 1 yr old son) at home, it's really hard to even get to the hospital every day.<br /><br />Anyway, I think I covered everything, will keep you all updated. Please pray for her, she's such a tough little precious girl. I know the Lord is still watching over her, I guess we couldn't expect a completely uneventful stay in the NICU.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-58807250734490586592009-11-05T09:43:00.002-06:002009-11-05T09:43:00.340-06:00No respiratory support........PLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written Nov 05, 2007 09:43am (EST)<br /><br />On Nov 3rd, they put Autumn on Nasal Canula. Not because they thought she was ready but because the CPAP apparatus was irritating her nose, it was all swollen and a little bloody. My poor baby. So they put her on nasal canula to give her nose a break and she stayed on that for the 3rd &amp; 4th. Today, she was doing so well, they took out the nasal canula at 7:30 am. They're going to see how she does but if she gets worn out, they'll put her back on nasal canula or even CPAP. But gosh, we just keep getting surprised by her quick progression! The only medication she is currently on is caffeine for apnea and/or bradycardia spells. Last night, the charge nurse told us that Autumn may be moved out to the large area where there are more babies, she's currently in a semi private room with only one other baby. The nurse said she may be moved because she's doing so well and they like to reserve the semi private rooms for more unstable babies coming in. That's exciting except we will miss the privacy we have now. They still won't say how long she will need to be there but I'm beginning to think she's going to be home sooner than we thought! Praise the Lord.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-13130902499006293482009-11-02T13:13:00.001-06:002009-11-02T13:13:00.540-06:00Smooth sailing so farPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written Nov 02, 2007 01:13pm (EST)<br /><br />Well, Autumn has been doing great. Everyday she progresses along with no bumps in the road so far. She had a Patent Ductus Arteriosis or PDA. They treated it with one course of Indocin/Indomethacin. And it is now as good as closed, not completely but they said good enough? We've been praying specifically for her PDA and I knew it would be taken care of with the first course of medication, they were talking about doing 3 courses but stopped after the first. She came off the ventilator after 10 days and is now on CPAP. I got to hold her for the first time on Halloween and that evening they weaned her down to room air oxygen (21%) and she's been on that since. I held her for 2 1/2 hours Wed and an hour last night, it was awesome and she loved it. She is getting my breastmilk through an OG tube in her mouth. She started at .5cc and is now taking 1.5cc every 3 hours and they will keep increasing the amount daily I think or every 6 feeds or something like that. She likes her pacifier and she also sucks on her knuckles. Things have been going way better than I expected and I am so thankful to the Lord for that. He is so awesome and just showing us the miracles He can do if we just ask and believe. I know there may still be some bumps here and there but I still feel content that overall Autumn will be just fine. She has been staying around her birth weight and has gained an ounce yesterday, 2 lb 12 oz.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-54099588300438692092009-10-27T18:44:00.002-05:002009-10-27T18:44:00.457-05:00Some details about Autumn's birthPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written Oct 27, 2007 06:44pm (EST)<br /><br />This is the email I sent to my friends and family, I copied and pasted it here for my convenience.<br />Autumn Elizabeth Tottle<br />was born via cesarean section<br />October 21st, 2007 at 11:57am<br />11 weeks early<br />2 lbs, 11 oz<br />15 1/4 in<br /><br />Here's the quick details of what happened before Autumn's birth.<br />On Friday, I started bleeding and having very small contractions I couldn't feel but they were registering on the monitors. Baptist hospital transferred me to Sacred Heart just so I would be there if I went into full labor. I stayed in Labor and Delivery at Sacred Heart all weekend, the contractions mostly stopped but the bleeding increased. By Sunday morning, the doctor suggested we have a cesarean as the bleeding might mean that my placenta was tearing away from the uterine wall. We went ahead and agreed to the section since we did not want to take the chance of a full placental abruption. Once they delivered her, they found that my placenta was almost 50% abrupted so it was a good thing we got her out then. She came out crying and looked good to me. She was born at 11:57 and they told us KJ could go see her at 2pm. We thought things went pretty well.<br /><br />They ended up not letting KJ come see her until about 4:30. It was not good news. The neonatalogist took KJ aside to talk to him before he saw her. They said they had been working with her all day since she was born and that they really didn't expect they could do anything else. Then KJ went to see her and came back to the room where I was "paralyzed". I was still numb from the waist down and couldn't get out of bed. The neonatalogist came to talk to both of us then. He said there was one thing they could try as a last resort and that it wasn't used often in preemies and that it didn't have a very good success rate. We gave consent for them to give her nitric oxide. Then we prayed and cried a lot. I just kept saying I didn't care what they said, I knew she was going to be okay. We prayed for a miracle and we got it! By the next day, she had SHOCKED everyone and was doing way better than they expected and she's just been slowly progressing from there. They're still taking it day by day but their attitude is way different now. Sunday night when I asked the neonatalogist about pumping my breastmilk, the way he responded was sort of like don't bother. And now they talk about her future in days and weeks.<br /><br />I am successfully producing breastmilk for her and freezing it which I am really happy about. She won't eat it yet for a few more days but I'm so happy I did not have problems with expressing as many moms of preemies do. She is currently getting IV fluids for nutrition right now. They won't feed her milk until she's a bit more stable.<br /><br />Her lungs are premature for her gestational age. She is not like a normal 29 weeker because I had been ruptured for so long. The low fluid has a significant impact on lung development. The first day they did a chest x-ray which showed her lungs down to her 7th rib, they are supposed to be down to her 10th rib. The next day her lungs were down to her 8th rib and that's where they are currently. So they did expand some which is great. Hopefully they just continue to mature. Please continue to pray for her growth and development. She is in the 50th percentile for weight at gestational age.<br /><br />As far as me, I am recovering without complication. Just LOTS of pain. This recovery is much worse than my recovery with Keaton's c-section. It could be cause I was on bedrest for 2 months before and because my c-sections were so close together, I'm not sure, probably a combination. But I am much more handicapped this time than last time, it sort of surprised me. My mom is still in town and is staying indefinitely so I am doing fine with help at home.<br /><br />Keaton is soooooo happy I'm home. I didn't think he even missed me but now that I'm home we can definitely tell he's glad mommy's back. He is such a doll and such a blessing.<br /><br />I've attached some pics, Autumn looks like her daddy.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-65040849854834809002009-10-24T17:08:00.001-05:002009-10-26T14:05:40.821-05:00Autumn has arrivedPLEASE NOTE: This all happened 2 years ago, I'm simply copying it to my blog since I didn't have a blog back then.<br /><br />Originally written Oct 24, 2007 05:08pm (EST)<br /><br />Autumn Elizabeth Tottle was born via c-section October 21st, 2007 at 11:57 a.m.<br /><br />I started bleeding on Friday and was transferred to the hospital where they have the Level III NICU. I was held in L&amp;D until Sunday morning when the doctors and nurses suggested we get Autumn out while she was still doing well since the bleeding may be a sign of partial placental abruption. They were right, my placenta was almost 50% abrupted when they did the section. She had a very rough start but is currently doing well. It's still day by day but I just know she's going to be alright. I was discharged today and am now home. It feels so unnatural to leave the hospital without her. Will update more when I have time. This is the most surreal experience I have ever had. I don't wish this on anyone. I am so thankful that Autumn has continued to prove the doctors wrong. The neonatalogist did not think she would make it the first night but then Mon and Tues she showed significant improvements, they were shocked!! God is with her in the NICU now.<br /><br />AprilApril - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-44751831751326835282009-10-18T15:17:00.000-05:002009-10-18T15:17:00.031-05:00The ultrasound appt and other excitementOriginally written Oct 18, 2007 03:17pm (EST)<br /><br />While I was writing my previous post about the second steroid shot, they came in to take me over to the perinatologist's office which is in a separate building of the hospital but still connected by a hallway somehow. So I didn't get a chance to post it until just now. So I finished that post and am writing this one to tell you how my appointment went.<br /><br />Talk about drama. I'm in Pensacola, FL as some of you know and we had some bad thunderstorms here today and just before we were getting on the elevator there were all kinds of people in the hallways and stairwells saying there was a tornado circling the hospital. So we had to stay put in the hallway for a little while, I guess there ended up being 3 tornadoes nearby and eventually a 4th that really did some bad damage in downtown Pensacola. I don't doubt it wasn't on CNN. Luckily, my hospital (Baptist), did not get hit. They took me to my ultrasound appt around 10:30 and we didn't get back to my room until about 2pm with all the delays and what not. I have to admit, I didn't mind at all, it was kind of a thrill for me. I have only been out of my room once before in the last 7 weeks and that was just to go down the hall to another room.<br /><br />So I talked to the peri about the slimy leakage and if it could be infection. He wasn't real concerned and said he would do a sterile speculum exam and look at some things under the microscope and send some stuff off to the lab. But my cervix is still 4 cm long, tightly closed and my uterus does not feel tender and my temperature has been a steady 98 point something. According to all this, he doesn't feel we should be concerned. He looked at some of the swabs under the microscope and couldn't find any signs of infection, he's going to get back to me after the labs come back. But he seemed really happy with everything and pretty confident that things don't seem to be starting anytime soon. I was sort of prepared for him to say we were going to have to have a c-section soon if I had an infection so I was a little excited to see my little Autumn but at the same time very scared. Though I'm really glad that everything is going as well as it possibly can be and that we can hold her in longer. Although many Dr's like to induce at 32 or 34 weeks he told me if things stay like they are, he'll hold off until 36 to get the baby but doesn't want to wait past then. I really want to have a VBAC but I assume they would have to induce me by 36 if I wasn't in labor on my own and using pitocin increases the risk of uterine rupture which I am already a slightly higher risk for since my c-section was done so recently. Just less than a year ago Halloween '06. But maybe they have some other way of inducing that doesn't increase the risk of your uterus blowing up. Of course, if she's not head down by the time they want to take her, it's pretty much an automatic c-section and I'm fine with that as long as she's healthy. But if there's a chance I can delivery her vaginally and healthy I would really prefer it. I'll have to talk to my Ob about all this cause he's going to be delivering Autumn.<br /><br />I guess I didn't really say much about the actual ultrasound. An ultrasound technician did it before we saw the Dr for the speculum exam. She said everything looked really good, she's measuring right about 28 weeks and some odd days except the one thing she said was that her abdomen was measuring a week behind but that isn't anything to worry about?<br /><br />The peri said not to worry about the abdomen either and that what he really likes to look for in pPROM babies is if the chest wall is really narrow in comparison to the rest of the torso, the "bell" shape. He said the bell shape is not good cause that usually means the lung development hadn't occured as good as it should have. But Autumn's chest looks normal for a baby her size so that is a good thing. Although he still mentioned we really won't know if that lung development did occur until she's born. I'm sure he has to say that cause he can't guarantee me anything but I think he has high hopes and I definitely feel like she's going to be ok. Oh yeah, and her estimated weight is 2.8 lbs.<br /><br />I just can't believe how I keep getting scared and doubting that we'll get any further, and God just keeps holding our hands and dragging us along. He's so good. I should not be surprised but just the mere fact that God loves and cares for us all as individuals is really amazing to me, especially when you feel so undeserving.<br /><br />AprilApril - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-54338246263975789352009-10-18T14:54:00.001-05:002009-10-18T14:54:00.537-05:00OK, so the second steroid shot hurt a little.Originally written Oct 18, 2007 02:54pm (EST)<br /><br />I had the second steroid shot last night and a different nurse gave it to me. Unlike the first shot which was fast and painless, this one was longer and a little painful but still not as bad as I expected. My husband was watching during this shot and he said instead of jabbing the needle in she sort of pushed it in until it sank in to my skin. No wonder it was more painful and longer. No biggie though. I'm just happy I got them now, makes me feel better if I go into labor soon.<br /><br />Last night before the shot my leakage had gone from pink to pinkish yellow and was a little slimier rather than liquidy. This morning it was a bit slimy too. I asked my Ob to take my white blood cell count again but he said we just had it yesterday morning and it was normal. I asked him to compare it to previous counts and he said it crept up a little. He said he would talk to the perinatologist and see what he wants to do. I was already scheduled to go to the peri's office today for a more in depth ultrasound so we'll see what he says then.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-18398169157663873022009-10-16T22:49:00.000-05:002009-10-16T22:49:00.166-05:00Steroid shot didn't hurt....Originally written Oct 16, 2007 10:49pm (EST)<br /><br />Well, my perinatologist finally came to see me tonight after he had been gone to a conference since the middle of last week. Considering all the pink fluid I've been leaking, he wanted to go ahead and give me the steroids in case things start happening soon. So I got the first one tonight and will get a second one tomorrow night. Then when it's clear that labor is imminent, and more than 2 weeks has passed, I'll probably get another shot. If I go into labor in the next week or two then at least Autumn will have some accelerated lung development.<br /><br />The shot did not hurt like I thought, I guess it's different for everyone. And it was really fast too, I thought it would take a while to push the stuff in but it was quick. I've gotten anthrax shots in my arm and those hurt a whole lot worse. (I'm in the Air Force Reserves). My peri doesn't necessarily think the pink fluid signifies labor is coming but he wanted me to have the steroids just in case. He called the steroids "betamethasone". So now it's just more waiting. I'm excited to meet my little girl but really want her to stay in there for much longer. I'm going to get an ultrasound Thursday at the peri's office instead of bedside and he said we can look at more stuff in his office cause the equipment is better. I'll keep you posted.<br /><br />AprilApril - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-71685003643060427992009-10-15T21:23:00.000-05:002009-10-15T21:23:00.386-05:00I need a new goal.Originally written Oct 15, 2007 09:23pm (EST)<br /><br />So we are now at 28 weeks, 1 day. I think this whole time my goal has been 28 weeks since the perinatologist kept stressing that most ruptured women go into labor by 28 weeks. So now that I'm here, I'm completely antsy! I just want to be done. I want to get started parenting my preemie and be done with this bedrest stuff. Of course, that's not what I really want. I want to carry Autumn as long as possible, which seems like we may only be halfway there as far as the bedrest part. I've been here 6 1/2 weeks and another 5 1/2 I'll be 34 weeks. So 34 weeks will be my long term goal in my head but my son's birthday (Halloween) is my next short term goal. If I can focus on that and staying in the hospital that long so we can have his cupcakes here and watch him open a couple presents, that will be good. I don't want to completely miss his birthday because stuff starts happening. I'm also really wanting to get things done in preparation for the birth. But of course, I can't do anything. I'm stuck here, in this room with crafts and reading and the things I look forward to are picking out my meals and going to bed at night so another day can be over.<br /><br />On another note, things are going good I think. My perinatologist has been out of town since the middle of last week and I think I might see him tomorrow, and hopefully an ultrasound. I did have some pink leakage on Saturday evening and Sunday morning but the nurses and on-call Doctors don't think it's anything to be concerned about since I'm not having any contractions. I was worried for a bit but now the leakage is back to clear so I feel better.<br /><br />I just want someone to tell me, you're going to go into labor at this time ..... or you're going to be on bedrest for 6 more weeks...... I just want some sort of definitive. The whole take it day by day attitude has left me, and I'm having a hard time getting it back.<br /><br />I am so grateful to have gotten this far, I feel selfish for being frustrated with all this, I know this is the best thing for Autumn and many parents were not as lucky as we are to have gotten this far. It's just a lot harder lately than it has been.<br /><br />Thanks to all who comment, it's really nice to hear your thoughts and feel your support. Keep praying for us, it's working better than I thought.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-51342114935178305792009-10-10T19:56:00.001-05:002009-10-10T19:56:00.649-05:0027 weeks, 3 daysOriginally written Oct 10, 2007 07:56pm (EST) <br /><br />I'm really happy to be at 27 weeks! I had an ultrasound last night and Autumn's estimated weight was 2.08 lbs. The perinatologist was real happy to get to the 2lb mark. I so so so hope and pray we'll make it to 30 weeks. But hopefully 32, and then of course we'll hope for 34! I haven't had any bleeding since I've been in the hospital except for some pink fluid once but yesterday I had two different instances of a tiny bit of blood when I went to the bathroom. I showed the nurse and they aren't too concerned. They just want to know if it keeps happening. I have not seen any blood today. The ultrasound showed that my cervix was still at least 3cm long and I had an AFI of about 6. My uterus also feels soft still and I have not felt any contractions. Although they don't monitor me on a machine so I may have some that I don't feel but I'm not worried about those. I will probably get steroids next week, I've heard they hurt. Does the injection itself just hurt, or does it hurt for a while after you get them? Where do they inject you? Thigh, butt, arm? The peri said I'll get one and then 24 hours later get a second shot. <br /><br />My son is getting so big! He'll turn 1 on Halloween. We will probably have cupcakes and a couple friends at my hospital room to celebrate and then when I get out of the hospital, hopefully we'll be able to set up a nice party at home for all our friends. I'm sure Keaton doesn't care either way but I know a lot of my friends don't want to miss it and it's always fun to get together with a bunch of people and their kids.April - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782657913980863992.post-28456330590742629262009-10-02T04:00:00.000-05:002009-10-02T04:00:02.771-05:00Oct 2, 2007Well, here we are at 26 weeks. The Doc is really surprised we got this far, praise the Lord! Everything has been pretty quiet except yesterday I had a bit of a scare. I had a huge gush of fluid in the afternoon which frustrated me but didn't concern me until I went to the bathroom and saw that the fluid was no longer clear but faint pink. When there's blood involved, that could mean my cervix is starting to open or a number of other things we don't want to happen. So I was really upset all day. The perinatologist came in around 9pm and did an ultrasound and checked my cervix. My cervix was still closed and 4-5cm long which is very good, if it starts getting short, that means it's effacing which means labor is coming. I was happy about that but was prepared for him to tell me the fluid was very low, I thought I could live with that considering the big gush and that it would probably go up in a week or so. To our amazement, the fluid was exactly the same as it was a week ago, even with the fluid I had lost in the afternoon!! (AFI=5). I am so thankful to the Lord, He is certainly taking care of Autumn. After the ultrasound, the perinatologist said he felt much better too. This morning he said typically he starts to see the early signs of labor in women at 26 weeks, like mild cramping and such. He has been planning to give me steroids at 27 weeks but mentioned today that he would be ok with waiting til 28 weeks for the steroids since I'm showing no signs of labor coming soon. The longer we wait the better and I just hope each week he pushes it back another week. I don't think Autumn is ready to come out until Christmastime or at least Thanksgiving! I know God's power is awesome and we can't put our minds around it but I have to admit I am a little surprised myself that we have made it this far. Even in spite of my human doubt, God continues to remain faithful. I can only thank Him for every day and pray for many more! <br /><br />Once again, thank you so so so much for all your prayers and please continue to pray for us! I think we are all seeing the miracle of God's power here and it's awesome that so many people get to see this. <br /><br />AprilApril - Team Tottlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509109962384976201noreply@blogger.com0